October trial date set for suspect charged in Seal Beach shootings

SANTA ANA — The Huntington Beach man charged with the worst mass-killing in Orange County history was given an October trial date Friday.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Thomas Goethals set Oct. 15 for the trial of Scott Evans Dekraai, 42, who pleaded not guilty earlier this month to eight counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in a grand jury indictment.

However, Deputy District Attorney Scott Simmons said it is unlikely the trial will begin that soon, noting he hoped it would begin sometime next year.

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas was at Dekraai's arraignment on the grand jury indictment last week and said his office pursued the indictment in an effort to speed the trial process.

"I'm hoping to get this case to trial in about a year," Deputy District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said. "We want ... to get it out of the way for the survivors and for the victims' families so we can have justice at the earliest possible time."

The indictment removes the need for a preliminary hearing, which could have taken years to occur, Rackauckas said.

Family members of victims praised the move, saying they would attend every trial session and court hearing until the matter is finished, though they hoped the case wouldn't drag on in a legal quagmire.

Deputy Public Defender Scott Sanders said Friday he plans to ask the court to seal the grand jury transcript, a move not supported by prosecutors.

Dekraai, 42, is charged with eight counts of murder, including the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders, and one count of attempted murder for the Oct. 12 shooting spree at the Salon Meritage in Seal Beach.